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The microstructure–property relationship in poly(methyl methacrylate) PMMA composites is very important for understanding interface phenomena and the future prediction of properties that further help in designing improved materials. In this research, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images of denture PMMA composites with SrTiO3, MnO2 and SrTiO3/MnO2 were used for fractal reconstructions of particle agglomerates in the polymer matrix. Fractal analysis represents a valuable mathematical tool for the characterization of the microstructure and finding correlation between microstructural features and mechanical properties. Utilizing the mathematical affine fractal regression model, the Fractal Real Finder software was employed to reconstruct agglomerate shapes and estimate the Hausdorff dimensions (HD). Controlled energy impact and tensile tests were used to evaluate the mechanical performance of PMMA-MnO2, PMMA-SrTiO3 and PMMA-SrTiO3/MnO2 composites. It was determined that PMMA-SrTiO3/MnO2 had the highest total absorbed energy value (Etot), corresponding to the lowest HD value of 1.03637 calculated for SrTiO3/MnO2 agglomerates. On the other hand, the highest HD value of 1.21521 was calculated for MnO2 agglomerates, while the PMMA-MnO2 showed the lowest Etot. The linear correlation between the total absorbed impact energy of composites and the HD of the corresponding agglomerates was determined, with an R2 value of 0.99486, showing the potential use of this approach in the optimization of composite materials’ microstructure–property relationship.

Polymers and polymer matrix composites are commonly used materials with applications extending from packaging materials to delicate electronic devices. Epoxy resins and fiber-reinforced epoxy-based composites have been used as adhesives and construction parts. Fractal analysis has been recognized in materials science as a valuable tool for the microstructural characterization of composites by connecting fractal characteristics with composites’ functional properties. In this study, fractal reconstructions of different microstructural shapes in an epoxy-based composite were performed on field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images. These images were of glass fiber reinforced epoxy as well as a hybrid composite containing both glass and electrospun polystyrene fibers in an epoxy matrix. Fractal reconstruction enables the identification of self-similarity in the fractal structure, which represents a novelty in analyzing the fractal properties of materials. Fractal Real Finder software, based on the mathematical affine fractal regression model, was employed to reconstruct different microstructure shapes and calculate fractal dimensions to develop a method of predicting the optimal structure–property relations in composite materials in the future.

Neodymium zinc titanate (NZT) is a very attractive perovskite due to its magnetic and dielectric properties. Considering the microstructure influence NZT stability and performance, it is of great importance to establish an approach for the analysis and prediction of grain boundary phenomena. The fractal nature analysis has already proved to be valuable for the reconstruction and prediction of ceramics intergranular electrical properties. However, no researches were performed on the fractal analysis applied on magnetic materials. This method could give an insight in magnetic properties change from the bulk to the grain interface level. In this study, fractal analysis was applied for the Curie-Weiss law correction, introducing fractal correction into magnetic materials for the first time. NZT powders used in this research for fractal analysis were obtained after sintering at different temperatures in the range from 1450°C to 1675°C.Connection between the microstructure fractal nature and the resulting magnetic permeability has been established, enabling the application on different magnetic materials in the future. This creates a foundation for new researches that will lead to further miniaturization of satellite and mobile devices.

Polymers offer the possibility of different reinforcement incorporation due to a broad range of chemical structures. Along with this feature, their light weight and processing ease made them a class of materials that have been applied in construction parts, drug delivery agents or electronic devices. Epoxy-based composites have used as insulators in microelectronic devices due to its chemical resistance, good adhesion properties and endurance. As epoxies have low fracture resistance, they are often reinforced with different kinds of fibers. With thorough knowledge of the structure, physical properties can be predicted and included in the processing of future composites, especially that electronic materials minituarization brought micro- and nanoscale level properties at spotlight. Fractal nature analysis is a mathematical method that has proved to be efficient in grain interface properties applied on perovskite ceramic materials. In our study, fiber shape reconstruction and determination of Hausdorff dimension have been achieved with the application of fractal regression model employed in software Fractal Real Finder opening a new path for the prediction of reinforcement shape and size, all with the aim of processing composite materials with desired properties

Materials science is highly significant in space program investigation, energy production and others. Therefore, designing, improving and predicting advanced material properties is a crucial necessity. The high temperature creep and corrosion resistance of Ni-based superalloys makes them important materials for turbine blades in aircraft engines and land-based power plants. The investment casting process of turbine blades is costly and time consuming, which makes process simulations a necessity. These simulations require fundamental models for the microstructure formation. In this paper, we present advanced analytical techniques in describing the microstructures obtained experimentally and analyzed on different sample’s cross-sectional images. The samples have been processed on board the International Space Station using the MSL-EML device based on electromagnetic levitation principles. We applied several aspects of fractal analysis and obtained important results regarding fractals and Hausdorff dimensions related to the surface and structural characteristics of CMSX-10 samples. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Zeiss LEO 1550, we analyzed the microstructure of samples solidified in space and successfully performed the fractal reconstruction of the sample’s morphology. We extended the fractal analysis on the microscopic images based on samples solidified on earth and established new frontiers on the advanced structures prediction.

Polymers offer the possibility of different reinforcement incorporation due to a broad range of chemical structures.Along with this feature, their light weight and processing ease made them a class of materials that have been applied in construction parts, drug delivery agents or electronic devices. Epoxy-based composites have used as insulators in microelectronic devices due to its chemical resistance, good adhesion properties and endurance. As epoxies have low fracture resistance, they are often reinforced with different kinds of fibers.With thorough knowledge of the structure, physical properties can be predicted and included in the processing of future composites, especially that electronic materials minituarization brought micro- and nanoscale level properties at spotlight. Fractal nature analysis is a mathematical method that has proved to be efficient in grain interface properties applied on perovskite ceramic materials.In our study, fiber shape reconstruction and determination of Hausdorff dimension have been achieved with the application of fractal regression model employed in software Fractal Real Finder opening a new path for the prediction of reinforcement shape and size, all with the aim of processing composite materials with desired properties.

In the past century, the use of polymers and composites with a polymer matrix has expanded to such a level that today it is impossible to imagine life without these materials. Epoxy resin and epoxy-based composites are widely used as construction materials, due to their excellent adhesion, thermal and chemical stability. Fractal nature analysis can provide insight in morphological changes at fiber-matrix interface level, which could give direction for the processing of composites. This mathematical technique can be performed on field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images, by identifying fiber phase and pores shapes and boundaries, as well as fiber-matrix bonding at the interface. In this study, fiberglass mat was used for the reinforcement of epoxy. FESEM image of enlarged fiber after the composite fracture was used for the reconstruction of data. With the use of affine fractal regression model, software Fractal Real Finder was employed for the reconstruction of fiber shape and the determination of Hausdorff dimension. © 2021 IEEE.